Minister of Home Affairs Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has said that it has been clarified to the UN Human Rights Committee, that it was former President Mohamed Nasheed’s government which broke the rules of International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in Maldives.
In an interview on DhiTV last night from Geneva, Dr Jameel said that former Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed lied in his comments on how Maldives was represented at the UN Committee by the delegation from Maldives.
He added that no one in Maldives is a better liar than Dr Shaheed.
He said that despite Dr Shaheed’s lies, the UN Human rights Committee is now convinced that President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s government has accomplished a great deal in terms of promotion of human, civil and political rights.
Dr Jameel said that the statement presented to the Committee includes details of the current situation of Maldives, the change of government, how things have progressed after the change of government, work of the Commission of National Inquiry, current protests by MDP, injuries being inflicted on the Police by MDP protesters, and attacks on journalists.
“I gave an update which includes details such as the recent arson attacks on Police barricades, and the car of Human Rights Minister. We also explained how former President Mohamed Nasheed’s government broke the laws pertaining to human rights. We clarified that political leaders were arrested in 2010, and that the Chief Judge of Criminal Court and several other politicians were arrested in 2012. We also noted the efforts made by the current government to promote human, civil and political rights of people,” Dr Jameel said.
Referring to rumours that the Maldives delegation was unprepared for the Committee meeting, Dr Jameel said that Committee members had passed comments of satisfaction in relation to the answers provided by the delegation. Nonetheless they wished to clarify even more.
“Anybody who knows Dr Shaheed - knows who he is. As you know, the purpose of that session was for us to clarify the points made in the primary report presented to the Committee. The Committee members noted that we fully responded to their questions. It was transparent and webcasted live, there’s no hiding it,” he said.
Dr Jameel added that explaining to the Committee how the former government broke the rules of ICCPR does not mean that the Maldives delegation was unprepared. Also, the Committee had noted that certain things have to be improved, and a session will be held tomorrow to further address their questions.
“Whether it’s Dr Shaheed or anyone else, they shouldn’t believe that they are the only ones capable enough to run this country! Then they would be talking like a twelve-year-old. It is surprising that Dr Shaheed has worked so many years in the diplomatic field. We are shocked that a former Foreign Minister of Maldives, and someone who has held several international posts, can make up such lies,” Dr Jameel said.